Spencerian Key to Practical Penmanship

by H.C. Spencer, P.R. Spencer

New York - Cincinnati - Chicago:  American Book Company, n.d. (copyright 1866) 

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD condition.

• Black cloth boards with blind tooled frame and gilt title. 
• Boards show some wear, scuffing, edgewear.  Corners are bumped, scuffed, with exposed board.  See photos.
• Spine is bowed, blind stamped ornament, with chipped and frayed ends.  See photos.  
• Binding is secure, some play at back cover.  See photos. 
• Pastedowns and feps have some toning, owner's mark at front inner fep.  
• Frontispiece, a portrait of Platt R. Spencer, is present.
• Ephemera, a letter from the Spencerian Pen Company, NYC, is folded inside front cover. 
• Illustrations are bright and clear.  
• Interior is tanned, exhibits a closed tear at the gutter on pg. 10.  See photos.  
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Text block edges have traces of marble decoration. 
• PS2025.0528

176 pages. 5 1/8 x 8 inches

A Very Good copy of this guide to Spencerian penmanship, first published in 1866 by Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co. in New York.  This edition, produced by the American Book Company, with publisher's black cloth and gilt title in Spencerian script, is similar in its features to the 1873 edition from Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Company.  Interior is tanned, alphabet figures and plates, both steel and wood engraved, are clear and bright.  Folded into the front cover is a letter from The Spencerian Pen Company in New York regarding Spencerian steel pens.  A good example of the entrepreneurial and multi-faceted nature of publishing in the 19th century, The Spencerian Steel Pen Co. was founded by this book's publisher (and bookseller), Ivison Phinney around 1858. 

Platt Rogers Spencer (1800–1864) developed the system of cursive handwriting known as Spencerian penmanship.  Spencer was a teacher, founder of business schools and author.  Spencerian hand was meant to be both easy to read and pleasingly formed.  The volume provides advice on posture, how to hold a pen, methods for breaking bad habits, movements, forms of letters, spacing, shading, business writing, ladies' hand, advice on teaching in common schools & teaching in commercial colleges, and on penmanship as a profession.

The inside fly leaf bears the name A.K. McIlhaney, possibly Asa Kinney McIlhaney (1867-1946).  From Bath, Pennsylvania, McIlhaney was an author and local historian who corresponded widely with notable Americans including John Muir, Walt Whitman, and Samuel L. Clemens. 

Printed at the Press of Ivison, Blakeman & Company.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

International first class shipping includes a handling charge to cover insurance.

Domestic orders over $250 include a handling charge to cover signature confirmation.

#panoplybooks #rarebooks #bookboutique #collectiblebooks #antiquebooks #vintagebooks #bookstore

We invite you to view our Shipping & Returns policies, or to contact us with any questions.